Mr. Mazakaza could however not disclose how much tonnes of maize the agency would buy in this year’s marketing season.

He refereed all queries to the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Bob Sichinga, who could however not be reached for a comment over the matter.

“The agency has distributed empty grain bags, scales and some resources in readiness to declare our intentions to the public but find out from the Agriculture Minister for more details on the 2013/2014 crop marketing season,” Mr. Mazakaza said.

On field operational structures to avoid the recurrence of stock losses and thefts, Mr. Mazakaza said the agency will this season select competent and credible warehouse managers.

He assured that there will be few losses this year because the agency has put in place adequate measures to protect the staple food from going to waste.

Mr. Mazakaza has meanwhile said in Kaoma in Western province, the agency destroyed some minimal bags of maize that were certified unfit for human and animal consumption.

He said the destruction exercise was conducted in collaboration with a group from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Ministry of Health, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit under the Office of the Vice President, Security Wings and the Food Reserve Agency field staff.